The Houston Texans are still a few steps away from the 2023 NFL draft and finally cashing in on the excess draft capital from their 2022 offseason trade with the Cleveland Browns. A new coach will need to be hired and important decisions have to be made on how the team will use some of their available cap space. Regardless of any impending time, one look at fan comments at social media will show that fans are already thoroughly focused on the draft.
April’s projects as one of the biggest in franchise history with the opportunity to potentially select a franchise quarterback and three additional selections in the top-70 to provide desperately needed talent to one of the NFL’s worst rosters.
Draft season has barely begun and a lot will change in the upcoming months. The Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl, NFL combine and, of course, individual pro days will play a huge part of re-shaping the board in the absence of additional games to watch. However, as a launch point, it’s still useful to think about who general manager Nick Caserio may draft if Roger Goodell took to the podium today.
Here’s an early prediction at a three-round Texans mock draft.
Round 1 (No. 2 overall) — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
This pick, if it does come to fruition, will feel a long time coming for Houston fans. Young has been the best quarterback in college football for the last two seasons and his meteoric rise at Alabama coincided perfectly with the franchise’s spiral into poor play at the position.
The cornerback probably felt pretty good about his play here with both the back and sideline boundaries serving to help.
Bryce Young just drops it in perfectly.
4th touchdown today for the potential Houston quarterback #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/lPcY0H4b1p
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) December 31, 2022
Young brings a unique playing style that has NFL evaluators comparing him to the NBA’s Steph Curry and has an accuracy and poise that project as a high level passer at the next level. Ultimately, it’s Young’s play-extending ability and knack for feeling pressure in the pocket that elevates him over his peers in the 2023 class.
Drafting the Alabama product would not only change the direction of the franchise but also serve as a natural turning point for the team’s transition under a new head coach to playing competitive football. He’s the type of player that can elevate an offensive scheme and that coordinators will be excited to work with.
Round 1 (No. 12 overall) — WR Jordan Addison, USC
This pick will be a difficult one to project for Houston throughout the process. Their biggest needs are at wide receiver and defensive line but none of the projected players, at this point in the process, seem to match the relative value of the 12th overall pick that play those positions.
Mocking trades is a fruitless process, so in this scenario the Texans decide to go all-in on fixing their atrocious offense and draft Addison from USC. Addison is a natural route runner, has soft hands and always found ways to get open during his dominant college career at both Pittsburgh and USC.
Jordan Addison could look really nice in the Battle Red next season.
His skillset would play very nicely with Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/QbVoW9TgWn
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) September 11, 2022
The value of good receiver play in the NFL is at an all-time high and nothing may be more valuable than cheap receiver play. The Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Francisco 49ers have all made it to the conference championship round with fantastic receiving options that are coincidentally also on rookie contracts. This is a position Houston would have to overpay in free agency if they chose to go that route, it may make the most sense to attack during the draft.
Round 2 (No. 33 overall) — DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
It’s no secret that Houston desperately needs help in the trenches before going into the 2023 season. The team struggled to stop the run in 2022 and often struggled against the pass despite their elite secondary due to an inability to rush the passer.
Anudike-Uzomah might make a big difference in that department.
Been talking about this guy for a while now, Felix Anudike-Uzomah #91 is a absolute monster off the edge. 3 sacks vs TTU today, #Texan him please!!! Big12 has some dawg’s coming out in this 2023 draft class pic.twitter.com/0QtpUk3QkH
— Cody Johnson (@FB_LoneStar) October 1, 2022
The 6-4, 255-pound defensive end from Kansas State was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and gathered 11 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks during the college football season. Betting on his physical talent and the massively improved production during his last season at Kansas State could make for a natural compliment across from Jonathan Greenard.
Round 3 (No. 65 overall) — S Christopher Smith, Georgia
Last year, safeties Jalen Pitre and Jonathan Owens were both at the top of the NFL in total tackles at their position. A large part of this was due to former coach Lovie Smith putting his safeties in difficult positions and needing tackles at the second level. However, despite their phenomenal numbers, the defense showed that a high-level playmaker may be needed at the other safety position.
Georgia made the house call 📞
Chris Smith ran the pick-six 74 yards to get the Bulldogs on the board.
🎥 @espn pic.twitter.com/V0VzVYzeU8
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 5, 2021
Smith is coming off a long career Georgia and a 2022 season where he was named an AP First-Team All-American and played a pivotal role in the Bulldogs repeating as national champions. He showed athleticism and discipline that could translate well to any scheme.
Putting a talented player like Smith under the coaching of a defensive specialist like Jonathan Gannon or Smith could yield huge dividends towards finding a future star outside of the first two rounds. Smith could be a logical compliment to the versatile Pitre and Houston could try to capitalize on the high IQ and productivity he flashed under Kirby Smart.
